Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Being Patriotic in Grade Four

I love the Winter Olympics. Not just for the hockey where Team Canada is always a threat to win, but for the sheer joy of watching my country compete and show themselves off on the international stage.

Many Canadians are known for not tooting their own horns, but in 4A this year I have really wanted the students to have an understanding of what it means to be proud to be a Canadian by watching these athletes compete every day.

Yesterday, we watched the three Canadian teams skate in the short program of the pairs figure skating. When the team of Paige Lawrence and Rudi Swiegers finished second after their skate, my classroom erupted. They seem to be catching a little bit of Canadian Olympic fever.

Now, it will all really start I think when the Canadian men's hockey team takes on Norway on Thursday morning, but until then, my kids are more than willing to watch different events for the sake of the speed and skill as well as for cheering Canada on.

We are keeping track of our Canadian medal count as a school and our class is keeping track of who wins each medal with a medal tracker board outside our classroom in the hallway.

Whoever said Canadians weren't allowed to be patriotic or too shy to be patriotic? Well, in 4A, I can see some grade fours who are just willing to not only be patriotic, but to learn how to cheer for a win, humbly take a loss, and cheer for what they believe in no matter what.